Schumer Demands End to Trump's Tariff War, Claims Canadian Crossings Plummeting Amid Summer Tourism Economy Rebound

Strategic Insights -

Senator Chuck Schumer revealed new data showing border crossings continue to plummet at all major land ports of entry in New York, with nearly 500,000 fewer travelers crossing the Upstate NY-Canada border via land in July 2025 compared to July 2024, a 22% decrease. Since Trump took office, there have been 2 million fewer travelers over the Upstate NY-Canada border compared to last year.

Schumer criticized Trump's tariffs, stating they are crushing Upstate NY's summer tourism economy and hurting Main Streets across the region. He announced plans to force a vote when the Senate returns to end Trump's ill-conceived trade war with Canada, claiming it is killing the summer tourism economy, threatening thousands of jobs, and Main Streets across Upstate New York. Schumer also called on NY House Republicans to stand with the families and small businesses footing the bill for these costly Trump tariffs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Chuck Schumer revealed new data showing nearly 500,000 fewer travelers crossed the Upstate NY-Canada border via land in July 2025 compared to July 2024, a 22% decrease.
  • Since Trump took office, there have been 2 million fewer travelers over the Upstate NY-Canada border compared to last year.
  • Schumer criticized Trump's tariffs, stating they are crushing Upstate NY's summer tourism economy and hurting Main Streets across the region.
  • Schumer announced plans to force a vote when the Senate returns to end Trump's ill-conceived trade war with Canada.
  • Schumer called on NY House Republicans to stand with the families and small businesses footing the bill for these costly Trump tariffs.
  • According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the United States is the only country out of 184 studied where international tourism is expected to drop, with a $12.5 billion decrease.
  • A new Pew Research study revealed that Canadians' opinions of Americans and Trump are at or near historic lows.
  • Trump's tariffs are expected to cost families more than $2,700 every year, according to the Budget Lab at Yale.

Statistics:

  • 497,987 (22%) decrease in land border crossings between Upstate NY and Canada in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
  • 2,038,465 fewer visitors across the Upstate NY-Canada border compared to last year.
  • A 22% decrease in land border crossings at the Peace Bridge Western NY between July 2024 and July 2025.
  • A 21.44% decrease in land border crossings at the Rainbow Bridge Western NY between July 2024 and July 2025.
  • A $12.5 billion decrease in international tourism expected in the United States, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Sources:

  • Schumer, C. E. (2023, August 20). Schumer: Trump's Tariff War Continues Crushing Upstate NY's Summer Tourism Economy with Canadian Crossings Plummeting Nearly 500,000 Last Month. Retrieved from https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-trumps-tariff-war-continues-crushing-upstate-nys-summer-tourism-economy-with-canadian-crossings-plummeting-nearly-500000-last-month
  • World Travel and Tourism Council. (2023). Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2023. Retrieved from https://www.wttc.org/-/media/press-releases/2023/spring-2023-press-release_sr-nwticondlungroupigiatisity-sub4finalversionweb25march202.pdf?la=en
  • Pew Research Center. (2023). Americans and Canadians: A Pew Research Center Survey. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/07/25/americans-and-canadians-a-pew-research-center-survey/
  • Budget Lab at Yale. (2023). The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on American Families. Retrieved from https://budgetlab.org/2023/08/01/impact-trumps-tariffs-american-families